Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
Delicious Lebanese food, call ahead for a reservation on weekend nights. Try the bubbling lamb hummus! 5-10 minute walk from the guest suite.
52 locals recommend
Cafe Munir
2408 NW 80th StDelicious Lebanese food, call ahead for a reservation on weekend nights. Try the bubbling lamb hummus! 5-10 minute walk from the guest suite.
Larsen's Bakery
8000 24th Ave NWDanish pastries and coffee drinks. Must try the Kringle!
Sopranos Pizza & Pasta
A 5 minute walk away - decent pizza and other options
Square Detroit style pizza and limited menu with great food and cocktails, just a 10-15 minute walk.
Sunny Hill
Square Detroit style pizza and limited menu with great food and cocktails, just a 10-15 minute walk.
Popular cafe 10-15 minute walk, at the top of the hill leading down to Golden gardens beach
Caffe Fiore
Popular cafe 10-15 minute walk, at the top of the hill leading down to Golden gardens beach
low key fish and chips and diner-style food. One of the few 'original' Ballard type places left. You can walk to the Ballard Locks from here.
11 locals recommend
Lockspot Cafe
3005 NW Locks Pllow key fish and chips and diner-style food. One of the few 'original' Ballard type places left. You can walk to the Ballard Locks from here.
Copine
6460 24th Ave NWfancier French restaurant, great for a romantic dinner or a small group
amazing water views, especially from the 2nd floor deck. Go early for the happy hour, it fills up fast. The cafe upstairs is very family-friendly. In the winter you will probably see sea lions.
188 locals recommend
Ray's Boathouse
6049 Seaview Ave NWamazing water views, especially from the 2nd floor deck. Go early for the happy hour, it fills up fast. The cafe upstairs is very family-friendly. In the winter you will probably see sea lions.
Amazing Cuban sandwiches, outdoor seating or take out, cash only. Try the sandwich with scallops!
136 locals recommend
Un Bien
7302.5 15th Ave NWAmazing Cuban sandwiches, outdoor seating or take out, cash only. Try the sandwich with scallops!
Sam's Sushi Bar & Grill
5506 22nd Ave NWfamily friendly restaurant for good sushi
Ballard Ave NW: Many many great restaurants, bars, and shops in the historic "old Ballard" area
50 locals recommend
Ballard Avenue Northwest
Ballard Avenue NorthwestBallard Ave NW: Many many great restaurants, bars, and shops in the historic "old Ballard" area
Foodie seafood dishes, great reviews. Be prepared for a wait
246 locals recommend
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWFoodie seafood dishes, great reviews. Be prepared for a wait
Thai Thani Kitchen
2021 NW Market StGreat Thai food!
Great breakfast and brunch, with high quality organic/local foods and a toppings bar for pancakes, etc. Go early, or be prepared to wait for a table
57 locals recommend
Portage Bay Cafe - Ballard
2821 NW Market StGreat breakfast and brunch, with high quality organic/local foods and a toppings bar for pancakes, etc. Go early, or be prepared to wait for a table
Staple & Fancy
4739 Ballard Ave NWgreat foodie type seafood and cocktails
Super rich/delicious desserts, drinks, and very popular at night.
98 locals recommend
Hot Cakes - Molten Chocolate Cakery
5427 Ballard Ave NWSuper rich/delicious desserts, drinks, and very popular at night.
Salt & Straw
714 East Pike StreetUnique rotating ice cream flavors
Drinks & Nightlife
Many sweet and savory pie options, pie flavor cocktails, and other drinks.
21+, but they have a takeout window on the sidewalk if you're with kids
18 locals recommend
Pie Bar Ballard
2218 NW Market StMany sweet and savory pie options, pie flavor cocktails, and other drinks.
21+, but they have a takeout window on the sidewalk if you're with kids
Olaf's
6301 24th Ave NWlocal low key remodeled dive bar with a younger crowd
A long time bar in historic Ballard, low key and fun atmosphere
45 locals recommend
Hattie's Hat Restaurant
5231 Ballard Ave NWA long time bar in historic Ballard, low key and fun atmosphere
The Sunset Tavern
5433 Ballard Avenue NorthwestWatch for many live shows here!
Essentials
Saleh's
2401 NW 80th Stconvenience store with beers on tap, and food trucks/outdoor seating area
Amazing selection of fresh fish, some other meats, and a few other things for preparing dinner
9 locals recommend
Fresh Fish Co
2364 NW 80th StAmazing selection of fresh fish, some other meats, and a few other things for preparing dinner
QFC
11100 Roosevelt Way NEgood quality groceries
Safeway
516 1st Ave Wcheaper groceries and gas station
broad selection of average quality groceries, pharmacy items, clothing, housewares, sporting goods, hardware
278 locals recommend
Fred Meyer
915 NW 45th Stbroad selection of average quality groceries, pharmacy items, clothing, housewares, sporting goods, hardware
Trader Joe's
1700 E Madison Stgood prices and quality, especially for cheeses and prepared foods
Great high-quality local groceries and flowers with some prepared hot and cold food
149 locals recommend
Ballard Market
1400 NW 56th StGreat high-quality local groceries and flowers with some prepared hot and cold food
Health food co-op with organic groceries, hot food and salad bar
15 locals recommend
PCC Community Markets - Ballard
1451 NW 46th StHealth food co-op with organic groceries, hot food and salad bar
Parks & Nature
10 min walk to stunning views of Puget Sound and the islands to the west, sailboats, and sunsets. This is a small grassy park with a few picnic benches and other benches. Many neighbors gather here to watch the amazing sunsets
83 locals recommend
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NW10 min walk to stunning views of Puget Sound and the islands to the west, sailboats, and sunsets. This is a small grassy park with a few picnic benches and other benches. Many neighbors gather here to watch the amazing sunsets
•Sandy beach
•Shade trees nearby
•Grassy field
•Playground
•Beach fire pits
•Beach volleyball
•Beaver pond/wetland
•Hear/see Sea Lions
The steep hill leading down to the park from our house has walking trails through the forest, and many stairs - good place for a workout or a run!
728 locals recommend
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NW•Sandy beach
•Shade trees nearby
•Grassy field
•Playground
•Beach fire pits
•Beach volleyball
•Beaver pond/wetland
•Hear/see Sea Lions
The steep hill leading down to the park from our house has walking trails through the forest, and many stairs - good place for a workout or a run!
Playground with a zip line! This is a shady park with mature trees, especially good for a hot summer afternoon.
23 locals recommend
Salmon Bay Park
2001 NW Canoe PlPlayground with a zip line! This is a shady park with mature trees, especially good for a hot summer afternoon.
Flat 3 mile walking loop, fishing pier on the south end, kayak and SUP rentals on the north end, kids wading pool on the north end, and restaurants near the northeast edge. Parking is tough in this area, since it's a popular destination.
148 locals recommend
Green Lake Park
7201 East Green Lake Dr NFlat 3 mile walking loop, fishing pier on the south end, kayak and SUP rentals on the north end, kids wading pool on the north end, and restaurants near the northeast edge. Parking is tough in this area, since it's a popular destination.
iconic views of the Space Needle and downtown Seattle (this is the view you always see in TV shows/films of Seattle)
881 locals recommend
Kerry Park
211 W Highland Driconic views of the Space Needle and downtown Seattle (this is the view you always see in TV shows/films of Seattle)
Park with a playground that incorporates the original industrial structures on this site. Lots of grassy areas for sunbathing and picnics. And amazing views of Lake Union and fireworks on 4th of July!
860 locals recommend
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake WayPark with a playground that incorporates the original industrial structures on this site. Lots of grassy areas for sunbathing and picnics. And amazing views of Lake Union and fireworks on 4th of July!
Miles of trails, beachfront, views. A huge city park where you can easily spend a whole day!
756 locals recommend
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdMiles of trails, beachfront, views. A huge city park where you can easily spend a whole day!
Skiing, snowboarding at the pass (a very easy area for beginners), with ski/board rental and lessons on site. More experienced skiers will enjoy nearby Hyak. Also you can buy tickets for the snow tubing park at the east end of the pass; lots of fun and snow tube included in the rental. Summer hiking trails
Snoqualmie Summit, Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068, USA
Skiing, snowboarding at the pass (a very easy area for beginners), with ski/board rental and lessons on site. More experienced skiers will enjoy nearby Hyak. Also you can buy tickets for the snow tubing park at the east end of the pass; lots of fun and snow tube included in the rental. Summer hiking trails
Sightseeing
Fremont Troll
Troll Avenue NorthCheck out the views, the lower levels of fun/weird shops, and post alley, in addition to the usual stuff (fish throwing, the brass pig, the great fresh food and other items)
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveCheck out the views, the lower levels of fun/weird shops, and post alley, in addition to the usual stuff (fish throwing, the brass pig, the great fresh food and other items)
Seattle started in this neighborhood and the original street was one story below where it is now. Tour the underground sidewalks and storefronts and hear all about Seattle's fun and funny early years!
Nearly all the tour is below ground, so good for a rainy day (but it's chilly down there, so dress well)
285 locals recommend
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
614 1st AveSeattle started in this neighborhood and the original street was one story below where it is now. Tour the underground sidewalks and storefronts and hear all about Seattle's fun and funny early years!
Nearly all the tour is below ground, so good for a rainy day (but it's chilly down there, so dress well)
A good way to see the waterfront view of Seattle's skyline and look out over Elliot Bay
347 locals recommend
The Seattle Great Wheel
1301 Alaskan WayA good way to see the waterfront view of Seattle's skyline and look out over Elliot Bay
See ships and boats make the change from saltwater Puget Sound to freshwater Lake Union via the historic Ballard locks (26' of difference in the elevation of these two bodies of water). Watch salmon make the same trip at the fish ladder - the kids will love this. If you're lucky, you may see opportunistic sea lions catching lunch at the fish ladder :)
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StSee ships and boats make the change from saltwater Puget Sound to freshwater Lake Union via the historic Ballard locks (26' of difference in the elevation of these two bodies of water). Watch salmon make the same trip at the fish ladder - the kids will love this. If you're lucky, you may see opportunistic sea lions catching lunch at the fish ladder :)
The Seattle Center campus includes the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, MoPop museum, Chihuly glass museum, Armory (food options), large outdoor spray fountain timed to music, and many other fun things to do and see
1748 locals recommend
Space Needle
400 Broad StThe Seattle Center campus includes the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, MoPop museum, Chihuly glass museum, Armory (food options), large outdoor spray fountain timed to music, and many other fun things to do and see
Entertainment & Activities
Around W-X Dock:
•Fishing pier (free)
•Ballard Kayak (kayak and SUP rentals)
•Little Coney for a quick bite
Around J Dock:
•Marina Center
oChartered boat rentals
oSee the Leif Erickson statue and memorial
oPicnic tables
30 locals recommend
Shilshole Bay Marina
7001 Seaview Ave NWAround W-X Dock:
•Fishing pier (free)
•Ballard Kayak (kayak and SUP rentals)
•Little Coney for a quick bite
Around J Dock:
•Marina Center
oChartered boat rentals
oSee the Leif Erickson statue and memorial
oPicnic tables
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NMajestic Bay Theatres
2044 NW Market Sthistoric movie theater with a few screens in Ballard
huge selection of screens with regular shows, IMAX, and 3D movies
70 locals recommend
Regal Cinemas Thornton Place 14 & IMAX
301 NE Thornton Plhuge selection of screens with regular shows, IMAX, and 3D movies
Shopping
Nice little selection of local gifts and goodies, as well as shipping and mailing services
Ballard Mailbox & Shipping
Nice little selection of local gifts and goodies, as well as shipping and mailing services
Woodland Mod has an amazing curated selection of Scandinavian and Japanese decor and housewares
Woodland Mod
Woodland Mod has an amazing curated selection of Scandinavian and Japanese decor and housewares
Baleen
6418 20th Ave NWArtist created jewelry and goods, at affordable prices
Fun selection of local souvenirs, vintage clothing and home goods, and much more
The Beehive Mercantile
Fun selection of local souvenirs, vintage clothing and home goods, and much more
Crazy creative selection of local artist created gifts - buttons, socks, shower art, and more
Monster
1716 NW Market StCrazy creative selection of local artist created gifts - buttons, socks, shower art, and more
A long time Seattle institution for toys, local finds, gag gifts, and much more
55 locals recommend
Archie McPhee
1300 N 45th StA long time Seattle institution for toys, local finds, gag gifts, and much more
University Village
2623 NE University Village Stoutdoor mall with more upscale shops and a play area
Venue offers local artists creations - many things in the lower end of a budget (jewelry, post cards, etc.) and a rotating variety of artists
7 locals recommend
Venue
5408 22nd Ave NWVenue offers local artists creations - many things in the lower end of a budget (jewelry, post cards, etc.) and a rotating variety of artists